While the cost of farm fresh and organic eggs continues to rise, it has become increasingly popular to keep and raise chickens in backyards. Chickens and roosters are manageable in comparison to other farm animals, and the continuous production of eggs is a big selling point.
无论你是已经有了自己的鸡群,还是正在考虑未来是否要养一只,都可以考虑出于不止一个原因在群中添加几只珍珠鸡。
Guinea fowls, commonly known as guinea hens and guineas, are a low-maintenance but beneficial addition to your coop and backyard. Guinea fowl flocks can be found in nature among the rhinos of Africa. The birds eat ticks and other insects from the skin of their rhino friends, and the large beasts serve as protectors for the birds who could be targeted by larger predators.
继续读下去,了解更多关于珍珠鸡的知识,以及为什么你应该考虑将它们与鸡一起饲养。
1. Natural Pest Control
Guinea fowls love to snack on bugs, insects, vermin, and other pests that may be plaguing your backyard and animals. They are particularly fond of the dreaded tick which is increasing in numbers around the United States and can be incredibly dangerous to humans and animals.
这一事实本身就鼓励人们在自家院子里为珍珠鸡找个地方。在没有刺激性化学物质的情况下管理蜱虫是很棘手的,有时是无效的。
Additionally, guinea fowls do not scratch and forage for insects the same way that chickens do. Chickens aggressively scratch and dig in soft areas in search of insects that live beneath the earth which can be problematic for gardens and flower beds.
Related Post:Raising Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowls, on the other hand, tend to forage for insects and bugs that are above ground which causes less damage. Weeds and flowers are also a larger part of a guinea fowl diet which requires them to scratch and dig less. So in general, guinea fowls are less likely to damage your garden or landscaping while foraging.
Guinea fowls eat:
- Ticks
- Crickets
- Mice and other small vermin
- Flies
- Small reptiles, such as snakes and scorpions
2. Eggs
Guinea fowls do not lay eggs as often as chickens, but they do lay heavily at different times throughout the year. Guinea fowls lay eggs regularly from spring to fall. They can produce anywhere from 80 to 150 eggs per year. In comparison, chickens have been known to produce approximately 320 eggs per year.
虽然珍珠鸡产蛋的频率比鸡低,但鸡蛋的味道往往更丰富,使它们成为家园的美味补充。
3. They Will Be Backyard Protectors
Utilizing theirloud, alarm-like cryas a deterrent to predators, guinea fowls can act as backyard protectors for your chicken flock. A small group of guinea fowls will often make such a ruckus that their owners are alerted of danger right away. This is the perfect opportunity to scare away unwanted visitors.
Related Post:7 Chicken Predators And How To Protect Your Flock
Unfortunately, a flock of chickens is often an easy and frequent target when it comes to predators. From low flying hawks to foxes, minks, weasels, raccoons, and even stray dogs, there’s no shortage of predators when it comes to chickens. They are not flyers and they aren’t very fast. Additionally, chickens will roost at dusk which is when many predators make their move.
4. They’re Helpful In the Garden
Guinea fowls are natural weed killers and fertilizers. They will have your yard thriving in no time.
Tips For Integrating Guinea Fowls With Your Chickens
Guinea fowls are naturally dominantand will likely take over the coop by asserting themselves in any altercation. Guinea fowls are different from chickens, but the males will still fight with roosters, especially during mating season. This shouldn’t dissuade you from adding them to your flock.
Follow these tips to integrate the two species with minimal problems:
- Raise the birds together as small chicks. The two species will acclimate early on and get used to each other.
- It’s best to not let the dominating guinea fowls outnumber your chickens. The chickens could feel a constant threat and become overstressed.
- Unlike chickens, guinea fowls can actually fly. Keep that in mind when building or purchasing a coop.
- Owners cannot raise one guinea fowl alone even in a flock of chickens.They are naturally social animalsand will likely die if they are secluded from other guinea fowls.
- You may want to have separate coops while allowing the two species to interact during the day or around the yard.
- Introduce the animals slowly, perhaps one at a time, to avoid too much stress.
- Guinea fowls do not like to be moved from coop to coop. Moving the birds too oftencould encourage them to wander off.
Freelance writer Marlene Ridgway, grew up in rural West Virginia cooking, keeping chickens, stacking firewood, picking blueberries, and gardening.
Angiesays
Greetings! I have quite a dilemma in my hen house. Started out with 3 guinea chicks and 7 pullets. A racoon got 1 of the guinea and 2 of the pullets first night out in the coop. So, down to 2 and 5. All chicks bought same day and are now approx. 3 months old. 1 of the guinea’s has gotten downright vicious with the pullets, picking a different one every day and going after it like no tomorrow. The other guinea is peaceful with everyone. She is the quieter of the two. Coop is decent sized and fenced in area is approx. 6 by 8. Let them out to free range a couple days ago and even while out and about the aggressive guinea still went after the chickens. Hubby is ready to shoot aggressive guinea. I have no way to separate them long term, currently aggressive one is locked in coop so hens and calm guinea can relax for a bit. If something were to happen to “Gabby” the aggressive one would the other be okay just hanging out with the chickens?
Darrensays
Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet folks. We have an 11 year old Guinea who has lived with a flock of chickens his entire life up until 6 months ago when he met his first guinea friend.
Mari Taesays
I’ve had one Guinea living with my 15 chickens for 7 years, and he is doing great. He’s the leader of the pack and I’ve even seen him mating with his favorite hen.
pmsays
我有20只鸡和7几尼,但战斗是激烈的,尤其是对占统治地位的雄性几内亚,因此我把它们分开,因为大多数鸡压力大,生活在恐惧中。